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Redneck’s Revenge – Joan Livingston (Book Review)

Redneck’s Revenge – Joan Livingston

Today I am so happy to be taking part in the blog tour for Redneck’s Revenge by Joan Livingston. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part and providing a copy, which I have reviewed honestly.

Redneck’s Revenge

Her next case. She’s in it for good.

Isabel Long is in a funk months after solving her first case. Her relationship with the Rooster Bar’s owner is over. Then the cops say she must work for a licensed P.I. before working solo.

Encouraged by her ‘Watson’ — her 92-year-old mother — Isabel snaps out of it by hooking up with a P.I. and finding a new case.

The official ruling is Chet Waters, an ornery so-and-so, was passed out when his house caught fire. His daughter, who inherited the junkyard, believes he was murdered. Topping the list of suspects are dangerous drug-dealing brothers, a rival junkyard owner, and an ex-husband.

Could the man’s death simply be a case of redneck’s revenge? Isabel is about to find out.

My Review

Isabel Long wants to be a Private Investigator but first, she has to meet the requirements to get a PI license. With no police background, she has to maintain employment for three years and she chooses Franklin Pierce an elderly but licensed PI to’hire’ her.

She is assisted by her mother, Maria, a ninety-two-year-old Portuguese lady who likes to watch crime dramas and murder mysteries. Isabel is an ex-journalist with a sassy nature and an inquiring mind. She recently solved her first case and has an on/off relationship with bar owner Jack. Now she is ready to take on her next case and it doesn’t take long to arrive.

Cousins, Marsha and Annette approach Isabel to investigate the death of Annette’s father. He was a junkyard owner killed in a house fire but Annette firmly believes that he was murdered. Isabel’s years as a journalist have made her worldly wise and she’s keen to get justice for Annette. She sets out to find out what really happened.

Isobel’s voice comes through so strongly, her character jumps off the page. I loved all the characters, the relationship Isabel had with her mother, the romance element. The book has a sharp plot which keeps you guessing with plenty of secrets and subplots. There’s a great sense of humour about this book, it’s unique and expertly written.

Author Bio –

Joan Livingston is the author of novels for adult and young readers. Redneck’s Revenge, published by Crooked Cat Books, is the second in the mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a long-time journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. The first is Chasing the Case.

An award-winning journalist, she started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and most recently the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure.

After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long series.